We see this pattern in our whole life (our general path to salvation). And like Jesus we see many mini versions of this throughout our lives (various trials and tribulations).

Examples of losses:

Suffering/death experiences:

Loss of job

Loss of loved one

Loss of marriage

Loss of trust

When we go through these experiences we must apply what Jesus did at the cross in order to make it through our losses and “deaths”.
Ultimately, we must apply what he did on the cross to the entirety of our life in order to overcome our ultimate death (end of life on earth).

The concept above is our message for Sunday, March 21. I would love your input.

The lie: “PAIN AND SUFFERING MEANS YOU LOST. DEATH IS THE END.” – the devil

-robin

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About pastorrobin

Hello. I pastor PromiseLand Church in San Marcos, TX. I am married to Erica, and we have 3 kids: Kennady, Jude, and Avery. All little ones! Visit our church site at www.psmchurch.com

i believe God permits unplesant things to happen so that we may gain thru the losses we may not see or understand it at the time we gain a deeper walker with God and thru are experiences
we are able to help others

Three thoughts are at my top of mind when I consider this “lie from the Devil”.

First, there is a more subtle lie that is yet more prominent: that becoming a Christian means you will suddenly be exempt from pain and suffering, or that the more faith you have, the more you will be exempt from pain and suffering.

Scripture is clear that we will not be exempt from pain and suffering as a result of our salvation or our faith (2 Timothy 3:12, 2 Corinthians 4:7-12, 1 Corinthians 4:11-13, Matthew 5:10).

Second, Paul actually speaks in one of the aforementioned passages (2 Corinthians 4:7-18), stating especially in 2 Corinthians 4:17, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” He expresses that the things of this world are transient and temporary—the pain and suffering, the death we experience is all for a limited and countable period of time—whereas the glory that waits beyond is eternal and awesome!

In all these things—the pain and suffering; the deaths we endure—we have been given the power of the resurrection of Christ to endure adversity and reveal God’s power to those around us.

This is not to minimize the pain or suffering—on the contrary, we are simply given power to endure and this is what demonstrates God’s all-consuming love. Imagine the most sympathetic, empathetic person who has helped and cared for us in our time(s) of need: this person is demonstrating that same love God is sharing, though on a mortal scale. God’s love and power to endure are infinite and incomprehensible.

Third, and less esoteric, is the concept of learning, experience, and testimony. These three powerful and practical things are seldom gained in successes, smooth rides, and immediately-answered prayer. More often, these thing are gained in mistakes, utter failures, and prayers that have been answered quite differently than we have expected.

I have learned lessons from errors I have made. I have gained experience from failures. I have testimonies because God has answered my prayers not by giving me those thing that I thought I wanted, but by fulfilling the needs that He knew I really had.

As in Christ’s life, pain and suffering is inevitable, and death is a means to resurrection. For this, we as Christians have the ability to look beyond the immediate and into a pre-written future: that of the Resurrection of Christ—even in our daily lives.